The sold-out crowd at Memorial Stadium was absolutely hyped for a Black Out night game on Halloween. But their Huskers crashed and burned for the third straight game. Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) should have beaten Washington (5-3, 2-3). But they caught fire on their own field, losing 17-10.
It was only fitting that a huge skull and crossbones were painted in the middle of the field. The Blackshirts were by far the stars of the match. But just like the last two games, they gave up a critical touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Huskers’ offense came to a halt against one of the worst defenses in the Big Ten. They had 387 total yards but only 10 points to show for it.
Strategist Anthony Colandréa went 24-for-44 for 255 passing yards and a touchdown. He had three interceptions, including a fourth-quarter pick-six that put the nail in NU’s coffin.
Jamal Rule had his best game in the Big Ten. The freshman recorded 72 rushing yards on 13 carries. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry.
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Nebraska’s defense is good enough to win the rest of the games
Nebraska’s defense is elite. They have limited their last three opponents to 20 points or less. If they continue to play at this level, they will give the Huskers a chance to win the rest of the games this season. Unfortunately for the Blackshirts, the offense and special teams are in serious trouble.
The weight of the entire match should not fall on the shoulders of the defense. But for now, the other two phases are in difficulty. They have allowed three game-winning drives late in the fourth quarter in the last three games. As good as the Blackshirts are, they have to be better in the final 15.
Nebraska allowed eight rushing yards in the first half. Washington gave up running the ball early. They totaled 32 rushing yards on 19 attempts. UW averaged 104 rushing yards per game before Saturday.
Nebraska won nine tackles for loss to reduce rushing yards by 25. Nine different Huskers added a TFL to the stat sheet. Jahsear Whittington, Kade Pietrzak, Riley Van Poppel And Vincent Razors everyone won a bag.
The Blackshirts were also solid against the pass. They allowed 235 passing yards and 26 catches. Chris Lawson was a thorn in the side for NU all game. He had 12 catches for 155 yards, the vast majority of UW’s offensive yards.
Nebraska needs more offense and wideouts
Nebraska desperately needs more Dana HolgorsenColandrea’s offensive. The quarterback threw three interceptions. He recorded two on the first two drives of the game. Colandrea’s pass was caught and returned for a 48-yard touchdown with 75 seconds left to give UW a 17-7 lead.
Fans are clearly, rightly, very frustrated. They threw trash on the field after Colandrea’s choice.
The Husker offense was led by its tight ends for the majority of the game. Luc Lindenmeyer had a career-high 61 receiving yards. He had five catches on seven targets. Carter Nelson‘s only goal was a 24-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He scored Nebraska’s only touchdown.
The wide receivers were mostly inactive until the fourth quarter. They had 98 receiving yards in the fourth and 59 in the rest of the game.
Nebraska’s wide receivers combined for 16 catches on 28 targets. Kwazi Gilmer was the Huskers’ most targeted receiver (11), unsurprisingly. But he only had four catches for 53 yards.
Jacory Barney led receivers with 65 yards on six catches. He dropped a critical pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter. Nyziah Hunter had five catches for 39 receiving yards.
The Huskers offense finally showed some life in the fourth quarter with a 15-play drive to the red zone. But an eight-yard sack forced a 36-yard field goal, which Kyle Cunanan lack.
It’s John Hohl Time
Nebraska desperately needs a change at kicker. Cunanan missed his fifth field goal of the season and is now 4 of 9. The crowd in the dark booed him.
Cunanan’s excuse was the length of the baskets. He missed three yards of more than 50 yards. But the junior also missed two inside the 40-yard line. This excuse will no longer hold.
NU has lost its last two games by three points. Their special teams cost them those six points. Cunanan missed a field goal against Oregon. Archie Wilson planted his knee on a punt against Indiana inside the 30-yard line, setting up a field goal.
Senior John Hohl completed a 42-yard field goal on his first try of the season. He helped cut Washington’s lead to 17-10 with 31 seconds left. I expect to see a lot more of him this season.
The Husker offense is fighting hard for every point. They are not playing up to their abilities. Nebraska needs to do everything it can to help Holgerson’s group. This includes strengthening special teams.
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